Technology Advances that Will Influence the Future of Digital Medicine
Even though the healthcare technology industry has been slow to adopt technological advances in the past, the global pandemic has proved the vitality of utilizing innovations.
COVID-19 has accelerated the vast application of advanced technologies in the healthcare sector. To better understand how technology advances will influence the future of digital medicine, studying key technology trends is paramount.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has great potential for improving healthcare technology. AI-based software with the ability to make decisions similar to humans and analyze massive amounts of data can open up many possibilities. AI can improve the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of diagnoses.
Machine learning can also improve the drug development process which will help introduce new pharmaceuticals to the market quicker. Another implementation of machine learning is chatbots. Chatbots can be used to provide assistance to patients in self-diagnosis in a cost-effective and time-saving way.
Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring
Seeing a doctor for something routine can be costly and time-consuming. While telehealth has been in use for years to provide people in remote areas access to regular healthcare, COVID-19 has substantially facilitated telemedicine resources. One of the main benefits of telemedicine over in-person visits, especially in the wake of a global pandemic, is that it minimizes contact between patients and healthcare professionals.
Not only is telemedicine affordable, but it can also help determine when emergency assistance is required. As people get more and more comfortable with living and working remotely, the growth of telemedicine seems likely to advance even after the pandemic is over.
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
Various wearable devices and mobile apps collect massive amounts of patient health data, which plays a crucial role in tracking and preventing chronic diseases for many patients and their physicians. However, the Internet of Things has much more to offer for the healthcare industry.
The Internet of Medical Things, or IoMT, emerged as a result of combining IoT with telemedicine. The IoMT solution can automatically transmit data collected by hospital equipment directly to a patient’s EMR. Medical measurements, like temperature, glucose level, or blood pressure, can also be taken with the help of IoMT. Not only do these solutions save a lot of time, but they also reduce the chance of data entry errors. The IoMT seamlessly integrates all of the information from different devices to help medical professionals provide better patient care.
AR & VR in Healthcare
Virtual and augmented reality are equally influential technologies with great potential to improve the quality of healthcare. This technology is literally turning science fiction into reality.
AR and VR are moving from the gaming world to the medical school, clinic, and operating room. AR and VR solutions can enhance patient-doctor interactions and assist in educating medical students in procedure simulations. Med students can learn anatomy and physiology on VR tours of human organs. Operations recorded or live-streamed in VR let students observe the process from the vantage of surgeons. AR and VR technology also shows promise for assisting surgeons in providing services. Since information can be transferred directly in a surgeon’s vision, they will have real-time access to data that can benefit their procedures.
3D-printing
3D-printing can bring miracles in all aspects of healthcare. From bio tissues and prosthetics to instrumentation and implants, 3D printing is a technology on its way to transforming the way we think about what’s medically feasible.
Bioprinting is being developed to print different types of tissue, while 3D inkjet printing is already being used to design enhanced medical devices and tools, like forceps, scalpel handles, and clamps. These tools come out of the printer sterile and cost a tenth as much as the stainless steel equivalents.
The pharmaceutical industry is benefiting from the 3D-printing technology as well. Did you know that FDA-approved 3D-printed pills have been a reality for years? We can also 3D-print bio tissues, artificial limbs, living skin, blood vessels, and more. This development is especially critical for skin grafts for burn victims.
Conclusion
We are truly living in revolutionary times thanks to the advent of digital health. Our mission at Kepler Team is to spread the healthcare innovations that will shape the industry in the future. Although proven systems are often preferred for their reliability and familiarity, healthcare organizations are always looking for new ways to enhance their performance, productivity, and efficiency.
Kepler Team’s extensive expertise in developing healthcare software solutions will enable your company to become a part of the modernization process. Our tech proficiency will facilitate the implementation of modern technologies, resulting in more accurate diagnoses, seamless data transfers, and most importantly, vastly improved patient care. Contact us to find out more about the future of healthcare.
